75 gallon aquarium is empty...Newbie wants frogs..

[miranda2]

Okay so I have a 75 gallon and want a really fantastic frog setup. I figure this will take me many months to get prepared and ready for actual frogs.
I am really excited and a bit anxious that I can do this without any casualties.
What would be the first thing to buy? I have about 80 to 100 a month to use for this project(my hobby money).
I imagine the drainage system would be first thing to worry about.

[ColleenT]

first question- what type of frogs do you want? that makes all the difference as they all have different needs.

[miranda2]

I dont really know. I really like the Phyllobates terribilis.Or the Dendrobates auratus. Since I know very little about darts right now those are the ones Ive heard can be kept in groups?????I would have to save up for a group of either of these, they are expensive.
I do want a group of colorful ones.

One question first, can I have a good size water feature with these? Like a little pond with tetras or white clouds? This is what I will base my decision on, I want a water feature.

[ColleenT]

ok so you need help from the dart frog community. You can start by looking thru the the dart frog section. I don't have them, so i don't know their requirements.

[Lija]

I know that one, just spend more then need to lol

look for pics of vivariums and palidariums to get ideas, decide which frogs you want , you dont need to decide on exact species, but just general idea, you need different types of tanks for different frogs. Once you know what type of frogs you can plan.

Read sticky threads here, in general read as much as you can.

shopping list that i used

great stuff, get black if you can while it is still pond season. Get lots of it. I got 4 cans for my tank ( smaller then yours) wasnt even close to be enough.

egg crate ( that strong mesh looking white thing made of plastic), or they might point you towards light diffuser.

Aquarium safe silicone

2" PVC tube.


The rest is you can go as far as you want to ( and spend too) lol

[miranda2]

Im also interested in the tree frogs.Especially the waxy monkey and the red eye tree frogs.I could go with darts or tree frogs, I like both. Im a bit concerned with our house temps.They can be unstable, warmish in summer and coldish in winter.

[Mentat]

I would suggest a palace for a group of the larger darts. Although a 75G is large; it's not a "tall" design needed for tree frogs. You could stand it on end and modify it; but it's not worth the hassle if happy with darts. With such a large floor plan (48x18 in.) you can build a large water section into it.

Things to think about now are that: you will loose around 6 in. of height when done with false bottom and all substrate layers; at least the bottom is tempered (if installing bulkheads); and tank can become very heavy with gravel/lecca layer, a false egg-crate bottom will be lighter.

Visit the vivarium section, there are many builds you can get ideas from in there: Vivarium, Terrarium & Enclosure Discussion .

[miranda2]

Okay then dart frogs it is. So they can safely be housed with small fresh water fish.

[flybyferns]

Hello miranda2

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide to do
Some people do this..... I'm not a fan of mixing fish and PDFs , I worry it adds a layer of exposing the frogs to illnesses.
The frogs don't need the water. ( its's pretty to look at !, and to listen to)

You have great enthusiasm !

My 2 cents
(you don't 'need' my opinion as to whether or not to 'do it' ....that should be your decision )

This is a complicated build, and requires a tremendous about of experience.
This is especially true if this is your 1st enclosure build for dart frogs AND for an aquarium.

Having said that, fish can be ok. It has to be a large enough tank so the water area can accommodate the fish and filtering. 75 gallons is a nice size tank. ( I have kept discus in that size tank for years ) Your build needs to be designed so that the frogs can escape the water easily if you decide on NO fish. So, sometimes fish in a water ( if you desire to have water ) can work to your advantage. It actually keeps the frogs out of the water! You want the fish to be small when fully grown. If you are new to fish, choose a species that will tolerate a wider range of water parameters (This will help you ). Do your research. Fish that will eat fruit flies ( I believe killi-fish will- BUT not possitive ! ) would be a bonus

[Mentat]

A pond with a dozen Neons would be my choice of tetras; just be sure water is cycled before you add the fish.

[deranged chipmunk]

I agree with Carlos, tetras are the way to go. South American frogs, South American fish. Although I would go for cardinal tetras.

White clouds, even though they will survive in warmer temps, really are more of a cold water fish. They would actually go well with fire belly toads. Their geography is pretty close to one another.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[miranda2]

After being so wishywashy Ive decided a 75 is probably more then I am ready for. But at least Ive researched. Ive decided to go with my original decision to start with my 40 gallon and go with a paludarium type setup and go with fire belly toads..Doesnt mean Ive given up completely on the 75 gallon.Just starting out with something more manageable.
So thanks everyone Ill be over at the firebelly toad forum